Food delivery apps have made it easier for people to order food from the comfort of their home, but one Hyderabad-based Zomato user used the app not only to satiate his hunger, but also reach his own house from the restaurant.
A Facebook post by Obesh Komirisetty has been going viral on social media with many lauding his innovative thinking of hitching a ride with the food-delivery executive after he was unable to find public transport or a cab late at night near a shopping mall in Hyderabad's Hitec City.
"It was around 11.50 pm, I am at Inorbit Mall road and looking for an auto but couldn’t find anything to reach my room. So I opened Uber app but ride fares were high it’s around 300 Rs and also I am little hungry (sic)," the post reads.
It was then that Obesh got the idea.
"I just opened Zomato and searched for food shops around me, I found one dosa bandi near me and ordered Egg Dosa. The delivery boy came and he was going to pick up my order at dosa bandi. So I called him and said this is my order. I asked him to drop me at the delivery location (My Room Address). So he dropped me along with my order at my room. And he asked me, ‘Sir please give 5 star rating’. I said OK.Thanks to Zomato for the free ride (sic)," Obesh added.
The post immediately saw traction as several people began sharing it. Many people also confessed to have done something similar with even Swiggy delivery executives.
I’ve done that too.
— Haneet Singh Chhabra (@HaneetChhabra) August 7, 2019
In my case I order food from some near by restro and put delivery address of my home. So when delivery guy came I ask him to drop me on delivery address with food.
Only difference is partner was from @swiggy_in @SwiggyCares not @ZomatoIN @zomatocare
Hi I did the same few months back with zomato and swiggy but did not posted thought the zomato/Swiggy delivery guys will be screwed by their management.
— Wasim (@Wasim94755181) August 16, 2019
So bro we r on same page :)
Thanks to Ahmed of swiggy and mohd of zomato@swiggy_in @ZomatoIN
Lol..I have done this 10s of time and not just that..I have even ordered sitting right in front of the restaurant, just to claim discounts offered by different apps. Afterall Saving is a good habit
— Pratik Tarwade (@pratiktarwade) August 17, 2019
One user even went to the extent of suggesting that premium membership would mean an even better deal, tweeting, "Brother purchase 'Swiggy Super'. No delivery charges. Used this trick 5 month ago. (sic)"
Brother purchase @swiggy_in super no delivery charges
— nitish kumar (@Isnitishkumar) August 16, 2019
Used this trick 5 month ago
Screenshots of the post were also circulated widely, and featured on some Telugu memes Facebook pages.
Zomato also replied to Obesh with the comment "modern problems require modern solutions".
Modern problems require modern solutions. ^PC pic.twitter.com/2bmo7EMIpu
— Zomato Care (@zomatocare) August 6, 2019
However, one person raised concerns, pointing out, "Hope now everyone doesn't start doing this."
TNM has also reached out to Zomato on whether it has a policy on such actions, or if it depends on the delivery executive’s discretion.